In Winnipeg wrestling, there are few people that have
done as much to promote the business as Joe Aiello.

Aiello, 35, has been a TV announcer for Winnipeg
wrestling's IWA promotion, co-hosts 'No Holds
Barred,' a wrestling call-in show on 92 CITI-FM, and
operates the Jabroni's Hardcore Wrestling store.

In coming weeks, however, Aiello will be promoting the
wrestling business in a whole new way, as he prepares
to promote a wrestling card for the first time.

The show, which will take place on January 30, will
feature a tribute to Maurice 'Mad Dog' Vachon. Already
named to the card are Terry Taylor, Don Callis (Cyrus)
and Dr. Luther. Aiello says that there is a void to be
filled in Manitoba, where wrestling cards are
primarily Winnipeg-based independent workers and WWF
shows. "I thought it was maybe time somebody filled
that void where they get a chance to see some guys we
haven't seen in a while, and some independent stars we
don't get to see here."

Having Vachon in for the tribute is special for
Aiello, who grew up watching the AWA. Vachon is a
five-time AWA champion, and enjoyed a lot of popularity
when the promotion held shows in Winnipeg. "Winnipeg
was such a hot territory for him," Aiello says.

Aiello started in the wrestling business in the
mid-1980s, doing work through Winnipeg promoter Tony
Condello for various organizations including the UWF
and the NWA. "The first real stuff I did live was with
the Ric Flairs and the Stings and Lugers when they
were just starting out," Aiello recalls.

Aiello also got to work with the AWA and Nick
Bockwinkel. It was the relationship with Bockwinkel
that eventually landed him a job with the WWF. At an
IWA television taping, Aiello did commentary with
Bockwinkel. A few months later, he received a message
form his mother that the WWF had called. "I thought it
was one of the local guys pulling a rib, because it
was like, 'why were they calling my mom's place?'"
Aiello recalls.

"Sure enough I call this number and it's Titan Towers
(at the time), and they're inviting me down for a
tryout."

Aiello was soon scheduled to do some on-camera work,
as well as some commentary with former AWA announcer
Lord Alfred Hayes. His first gig was at a TV taping in
Brandon, Manitoba. The first interview he did was with
Rick 'The Model' Martel, a man who would later
headline several IWA matches that Aiello called. Aiello looks back fondly at that first interview. "A
lot of the fans in Brandon knew who I was, of course,
from doing the local scene so it was kind of neat to
get that applause."

Originally, Aiello was set to do a two-week fill-in
stint for Sean Mooney, who was away for his marriage
and honeymoon. In the end, Aiello was offered a
full-time WWF contract. Aiello did not take the offer,
however, choosing instead to stay in Winnipeg working
for radio. "It kind of changed my life a bit, because
from somewhere where I could take a couple weeks
holidays and do something I would have liked, they
offered me a full-time job," he says. "At the same
time I was offered a different job in radio which was
full time, so I decided to stay home."

Upon his return, Aiello went back to work with the
IWA. He soon partnered up with Callis, who he has
continued to work with on the NHB Wrestling radio
show. Aiello says that the partnership and friendship
is a natural fit as the two have the same work goals.
"We're pretty much doing everything we've done in
wrestling together, and followed the same kind of
roots and tried to keep it as local as possible," he
says.

The years working together has created a great
chemistry. The two ad lib all of their commentary and
it flows quite well. "We've never planned out a thing
in our lives, whether it be calling a match or doing a
show," Aiello says.

Callis will be aiding Aiello in the booking of the
wrestling card. Also helping out will be Condello, one
of the biggest names in Winnipeg-wrestling history. Aiello is excited to work with Condello again, a man who he says has been like a member of the family. "Tony's always been like that crazy uncle to me, if
not a dad sometimes. He's always been a guy you shake
your head at some times; you almost think you're
living an episode of Twin Peaks, but yet he's so
genuine, as far as how he took me under his wing with
no TV experience and gave me a shot, which I will
always be grateful for."

Aiello has also served Winnipeg's wrestling hunger by
operating Jabroni's Hardcore Wrestling store, the
only of its kind in Canada. The venture has been a
strong one for Aiello and Winnipeg wrestling fans, as
he has had an opportunity to have several wrestling
personalities do autograph sessions, including Lance
Storm and Rhyno. "Opening this wrestling store has
been fantastic," he says.

At the end of the day, Aiello simply enjoys working in
the wrestling industry in any capacity. He's able to
work in an industry he grew up with, one that he has
never felt as being a 'job'. "It doesn't feel like
work," he says. "It's just been a lot of fun, and
something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid,
so I've just been lucky enough to do it."